Chattanooga City Council Meeting - April 14, 2026

The Chattanooga City Council met on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 5:46 PM UTC. The meeting began with a special presentation for Arts Week 2026, followed by the election of council officers, discussion and votes on multiple ordinances, resolutions, and purchases. The meeting adjourned without public comment.

Special Presentation – Arts Week 2026 Proclamation

• Monica Kinsey, Deputy Administrator of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, presented a proclamation declaring April 13–19, 2026 as Arts Week in Chattanooga.
• She noted that the nonprofit arts and culture sector contributes nearly $200 million annually to the local economy and employs over 3,000 individuals. Since 2022, the Office of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy has supported the arts as a driver of tourism, economic development, and community well-being.
• Council members thanked the arts community, including organizations represented in the audience.

Election of Council Officers

• Outgoing Chairwoman Hill acknowledged Vice Chairwoman Noel, Councilman Dotley, Councilman Henderson, City Attorney Phil Knoblett, and staff. Councilwoman Dotley nominated Vice Chairwoman Noel for chair. Councilman Henderson nominated Councilman Davis.
• Roll call vote resulted: Councilman Davis received votes from Councilmembers Elliott, Dotley, Burrs, Clark, Davis, Harvey, and Henderson? (The transcript shows: Elliott, Dotley, Burrs, Noel, Clark, Davis, Harvey, Davis? Inconsistent recording but final tally was 5 for Davis? Actually the vote tally shown: Elliott (Davis), Dotley (Noel), Burrs (Noel?), Clark (Davis?), Davis (Davis), Henderson (Davis), Chairwoman Hill (Davis). Outcome: Councilman Jeff Davis elected chair.
• Councilman Davis then opened nominations for vice chair; Councilwoman Hill nominated Councilman Ron Elliott. Councilwoman Dotley moved to close nominations and accept by acclamation; the motion passed.
• Outgoing Vice Chairwoman Noel made remarks expressing concerns about the process, equity, and fairness, stating the vote and decisions raised “undertones that raised concerns about equity and fairness” and that there is a “growing divide on this council.”

Consent Calendar (Items Approved Without Objection)

• Item 7A: Ordinance amending booting and immobilization of vehicles – approved on final reading.
• Item 7B: Ordinance closing an unopened right-of-way on Cromwell Road – approved.
• Item 8A: Rezone on Russell Avenue and Signal Mountain Road – approved on first reading.
• Item 8B: Ordinance abandoning a residential PUD on multiple streets – approved as amended (clerical correction) on first reading.
• Item 8E: Rezone at 3404 7th Avenue – approved on first reading.
• Resolutions 9B, 9C, 9D, 9E (as amended), 9F, 9G, 9H–O (package), 9P – all approved.
• Five purchase items (aerial bucket truck, SPATCO renewal, early learning contract, mobile trailer cameras, police office furniture) – approved.

Discussion Items

• Item 8C (1107 North Moore Road) – Rezone with conditions. Councilman Clark presented six conditions: max 2.5 stories, 20-foot landscape buffer, no vehicular access to Belvista Drive, max 53 units, max 4 units per massed building, and minimum setbacks as shown on attached figure. Applicant Matt Bedsole noted a water line easement with neighbor Mr. Keith and committed to building a new waterline connection with minimal disruption. Councilman Clark requested a memo documenting that commitment. Councilwoman Hill celebrated the long-standing project as an affordable housing initiative for seniors by Invest Chattanooga. Approved on first reading.
• Item 8D (3115 Dwight Street) – Councilman Clark requested a 30-day deferral to May 12, 2026 to allow community input dialogue. Motion approved.
• Item 8F (1000 block of Shallow Road) – Rezone with conditions. Opposition speaker Abigail Proctor (neighbor) expressed concerns about proximity to her driveway (within 5 feet), drainage issues, and that four new houses would not fit the character of the road. Vice Chairman Elliott moved to defer one week to April 21, 2026 to discuss compromise with the applicant. Motion approved.
• Item 9A (Scenic City Shakespeare park fee waiver) – Councilman Davis requested a one-week deferral to April 21, 2026 to discuss deposit amount with the organization. Approved.
• Item 9E (Riverfront Nights) – Councilwoman Dotley moved an amendment to add two dates (June 20 and August 29) and designate May 1st as Armed Forces Day Parade Static Display, increasing total days to 23 and fee waiver to $25,000 with deposit of $25,000. Amendment and main motion passed.
• Item 9G (Budget policies) – Councilwoman Hill thanked Budget Chairwoman Dotley for leading adoption of policies for revenue, fund balance stabilization, structurally balanced budget, and one-time revenue use. Approved.

Key Outcomes

• Councilman Jeff Davis elected Chairperson, Councilman Ron Elliott elected Vice Chairperson for 2026–2027.
• Item 8C (1107 North Moore Road) approved on first reading with six conditions; applicant to provide written memo on water line commitment.
• Items 8D, 8F, and 9A deferred: 8D to May 12, 8F to April 21, 9A to April 21.
• Items 8A, 8B, 8E, and all resolutions (9B–9P with amendment to 9E) passed.
• Five purchases totaling over $430,000 approved.
• No public comments were made.